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Serve your request to change or end a DVRO

After you file your Request and get a court date, you must let the other side know that there is a hearing. You do this by having another adult, not you, deliver a copy of the papers to the other side. This is called serving court papers. The person who delivers the papers is called a server.

How to serve a restraining order

  • Serve by mail or in person

    Look at form DV-310, item 5c, to see if the judge ordered you to serve by mail or in person. If you are ordered to serve by mail, this means your server only has to mail a copy of the restraining order. But, serving someone in person is always best.

  • Choose a server

    You can't serve your court papers yourself.

    • Have the sheriff serve 

      If you have an address for the other party, the sheriff can serve for free.

       

      I want the sheriff to serve.
      How do I do that?
      Complete Request for Sheriff to Serve Court Papers (form SER-001). Give the completed form SER-001 and a copy of all your papers that need to be served to the sheriff in the county that the other party can be found. Do this as quickly as possible because it may take the sheriff some time to serve the papers.

    • If you don't want to use the sheriff

      Choose someone that is:

      • 18 years old or over, and 
      • Not involved in this court case. 

       

      Your server can be someone you know or a professional process server you hire. Give your server a copy of all the court forms you need to serve on the other party.

       

      Think about your server's safety. 

      If you have any concerns, consider using the sheriff. 

  • Have your server complete a form

    A form called "proof of service" must be filed with the court to show that the restrained person was served.

    • sheriff

      The sheriff will complete a proof of service form for you. Ask the sheriff if they will file the form with the court. If they will not, you will need to take it to the court to file.

    • Not the sheriff

      If your server is someone you know or a process server, give your server one of these forms:

      • Form DV-200 if your restraining order is going to be served in person, or
      • Form DV-250 if your restraining order is going to be served by mail.

  • File the proof of service form

    Make a copy of the completed proof of service form. Take it to the courthouse to file with the court clerk. The clerk will keep the original and return the copy to you. Keep the copy of the proof of service with your restraining order. 

    Then you won't need to file the proof of service. Make sure the sheriff gives you a copy or you can get one from the court clerk. Keep the copy of the proof of service with your restraining order.

Attend your court hearing

Once you’ve served your request, learn what to expect on your court date and how to prepare.

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